Top 10 Changes or Features of iOS 10

Apple’s latest update for iOS, released September 13th, includes major updates for just about every app, service or feature on your iPhone and iPad.

Here are the top 10 features or changes that can impact you the most.

1 – Redesigned Lock Screen

– Removal of “slide to lock” to access the passcode screen. You are now instructed to “press home to unlock” and “press home to open”. There is a new lock icon in the top bar of the home screen.

– These changes were made because people were accessing their phones so fast with 3D touch that notifications were being bypassed. It’s a big change to a function that you do many times a day, so it takes a while to get used to.

– Swiping left on the lock screen brings up the camera, making it easier to quickly take a photo.

2 – Control Center Improvements

– The Control Center, which you access by swiping up, is now on two screens, with music controls moving to it’s own screen.

– If you have an iPhone 6S or 6Plus, you can use 3D touch to change the intensity of the flashlight and access new pre-set intervals for the timer.

– There are also new camera options for 3D touch which allows you to quickly take a picture, record in slow motion, record a video or take a selfie.

3 – Notification Center Improvements

– Incoming notifications have 3D touch capabilities on the iPhone 6S and 6Plus allowing you to view photos and videos and respond to incoming messages and much more.

– No longer has the “today” view, instead a simple list of notifications is presented.

– A new search bar has been added to allow you to easily search notifications.

4 – You can now delete stock iOS apps

– iOS comes installed with 22 apps, some that you may not use. For me that’s the Stocks app and Notes. If you don’t have an Apple Watch, you won’t need the Apple Watch app.

– Stock iOS apps have been moved to the App store, which means if you delete them, you can go to the App store and re-add them later.

– These apps aren’t actually deleted—they’re hidden. They are small in size and are integral to the functioning of your iPhone.

5 – Complete redesign of Messages

– Messages can be sent with an animated background, like balloons, confetti or fireworks and they can be emphasized with a “bubble effect”.

– There’s a new “invisible ink” that gives a surprise-like impact, since the text is hidden until you swipe a finger across it.

– Digital touch has also been added so you can send drawings, heartbeats and taps to friends. You can even draw on photos.

6 – Redesign of Apple Maps

– Cleaner interface that is easier to use with easier to read controls.

– More proactive suggestions that are front and center.

– Traffic information en route with a dynamic view that pans in and out to allow you to see traffic conditions ahead.

7 – Photos Enhancements

– New facial recognition and object recognition techniques to group photos so you can search later.

– A new dedicated “people” album that shows all images with people, grouped by facial recognition. You can view all images that contain a person, and it’s really accurate.

– A “memories” tab has been added that uses image recognition, date, and location to accumulate photos for certain days, vacations, family events, and more presented in a video.

8 – Bedtime Alarm

– In the clock app, you’ll see a new bedtime alarm feature.

– Set a regular sleep schedule to get reminders that it’s time to go to bed.

– The bedtime feature also tracks history and provides a sleep analysis.

9 – Siri access for Developers

– Developers can now build Siri support into their apps using Siri SDK.

– You’ll soon be able to ask Siri to do things like summon an Uber or send someone money on Venmo.

– There are also new updates that allow you to search photos for specific images or videos.

10 – New Home app for HomeKit

– The Home app is designed to control all of your HomeKit-connected products in one spot.

– Home is available on the iPhone and iPad, offering quick access to favorite Home Scenes and Accessories.

– Also includes a list of all rooms to make it simple to control several accessories at once.